21 - 12 - 2011
When photos of the presumably re-discovered Bogota Sunangel (Heliangelus zusii) were briefly published at the Internet Bird Collection on December 05/2011, we quickly set our visit to old-friend Roberto Chavarro and wife Ginette at Rogitama Nature Reserve in the outskirts of the little town of Arcabuco in the Eastern Andes of Colombia, 3-hours north of Bogotá.
Excited with the great news and supported by Proexport, James Currie extended his stay in Colombia for three more days and flew from Cali to Bogotá, meeting there with Daniel’s brother, Félix. Daniel struggled with bad weather that stopped him from flying to Bogotá, having to spend an entire night at Pereira’s airport. Finally, the three of them met with Roberto Chavarro in Rogitama and lodged at comfortable rooms in the reserve for 3 nights.
A complete review of James Currie’s close encounter with this amazing hummingbird can be seen at:
http://10000birds.com/mystery-rogitama-hummingbird-captured.htm
http://www.talking-naturally.co.uk/tn77-james-currie-filming-bogota-sunangel/
In spite of multiple images and e-mails that have circulated through the internet, no definitive conclusion on the real identity of this bird has arisen yet. A group of Colombian ornithologists and conservationists are working on a diagnosis and we hope that a sound conclusion will arise soon.
In the meantime, we share here some of the photos of the bird taken during our visit to this beautiful reserve. Many thanks go to Roberto Chavarro, his wife Ginette and daughter for their hospitality and to Proexport for extending James’s stay in Colombia and facilitating Daniel’s trip to the area.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Birding & photographing birds along the Western Andes & Central Andes with Doug & Gail Cheeseman (April 22 – May 8, 2019).
SEE MORE
Birding the Central & Western Andes with Anthony Kaduck & Ken Edwards from Canada (March 20 – April 5, 2019).
SEE MORE
Birding trip for Happy Warblers from New York: the Central Andes & Cauca Valley, from Cali to Manizales (March 6 – 14, 2019).
SEE MORE
Birding in Inírida, San José del Guaviare, San Cipriano & the Anchicayá Valley with Katy Krigbaum & Birgit Felser (Feb. 4 - 27, 2019).
SEE MORE
Birding Mitú, Inírida & the Perijá Mountains for key species with Hans Jornvall from Sweden (January 5 - 23, 2019).
SEE MORE
Second birding trip to Colombia for Ernest Bradley & Dale Brinker (November 19 – December 03, 2018).
SEE MORE
Birding Colombia: an explosive extension into the Santa Marta Mountains, Guajira pensinsula & Perijá Mountains (October 18 – 27, 2018).
SEE MORE
The Eastern Andes near Bogota: private birding tour for Tony Menart, Thomas Heatley & Dale Manor (October 9 – 18, 2018).
SEE MORE
Birding Colombia through the Southeastern regions of Putumayo & Huila (January 14 – 24, 2018).
SEE MORE
Birding Hato La Aurora in the Eastern Llanos with Todd Pepper & Mark Eaton (December 1 – 4, 2017).
SEE MORE
Birding the Central & Western Andes of Colombia with Anthony Collerton (July 14 – 23, 2017).
SEE MORE
Andean Endemics tour with British crew: from the Eastern Andes to the mid-Magdalena Valley & Central Andes of Colombia (March 1 – 14, 2017).
SEE MORE
Another challenging & productive trip for Hans Jörnvall from Sweden (January 2 – 15, 2017).
SEE MORE
The Eastern Andes from Bogota to Soata: birding trip for recordist Terry Morgan & Karen Walz (November 18-30, 2016).
SEE MORE
Second birding trip for Katy Krigbaum & Birgit Felser: the Western & Central Andes of Colombia (September 1-20, 2016).
SEE MORE
Birding for much desired targets with Keith Betton, Andrew Herbert (UK) and Rainer Kopa (Germany) (April 17-May 7, 2016).
SEE MORE
Birding the Western & Central Andes with Richard & Jennifer Kershaw from UK (March 10-31, 2016).
SEE MORE
Second birding trip for Steve Huggins & Glenn Giacinto from Chicago, Illinois (January 23 – February 2, 2016).
SEE MORE
Birding along the Western & Central Andes of Colombia with Bob & Katie Self from the UK (November 9 – 26, 2015).
SEE MORE
Birding in Colombia from the Western Andes to the Santa Marta Mountains & Guajira peninsula, with a recapitulation.
SEE MORE
The Eastern Andes, mid-Magdalena Valley, Santa Marta Mountains & La Guajira peninsula with Katy Krigbaum & Birgit Felser (Sept. 2 – 21, 2015).
SEE MORE
Bird photo tour for photographers from Taiwan & China: The Western & Central Andes of Colombia (July 18 – August 8, 2015).
SEE MORE
Second birding trip for Debby Reynolds & David Copas (UK), and Jane Andrews (USA) (January 20 – February 6, 2015).
SEE MORE
Short but productive bird photo trip for family group from Canada and Colombia (December 16-20, 2014).
SEE MORE
Medium length birding trip through the Western & Central Andes of Colombia with Bruce Webb, Jeanne Conry & Peter Gent from USA (May 18 - 27, 2014).
SEE MORE
Short birding escapade for James Taylor & Christine Forster from Victoria, British Columbia (Canada) (May 8-11, 2014).
SEE MORE
Bird photography trip for Japanese photographers – Hisao komori & Yasunobu Shiga (April 26-May 4, 2014).
SEE MORE
Birding the Eastern, Central & Western Andes with Andy & Gill Swash, Debby Reynolds & David Copas from UK (January 15 – February 5, 2014).
SEE MORE
Birding the Central Andes of Colombia with Steven Huggins & Glenn Giacinto from Chicago, Illinois (January 3 – 13, 2014).
SEE MORE
Bird photography trip to the Eastern Andes of Colombia for Juan José Arango & Anabel Vanin (July 31 - August 04, 2013).
SEE MORE
Back to Colombia for a second time: Peter Hawrylyshyn & Bob Lewis search for more hummingbird species and bird specialties at new birding sites (February 15 – March 03, 2013).
SEE MORE
Central Andes short tour with Happy Warblers touring company from New York (February 5 – 13, 2013).
SEE MORE
More Andean endemics with magnificent birding crew from USA, UK & Canada (Dec. 28, 2012 to Jan. 5, 2013).
SEE MORE
Touring for Central Andes Endemics: how good birding in Colombia can be (October 6 – 15, 2012).
SEE MORE
Bird photography trip for Peter Hawrylyshyn, Bob & Hanno Lewis with emphasis on hummingbirds (August 22 – September 9, 2012).
SEE MORE
Birding Otún-Quimbaya Wildlife Sanctuary for some bird images with Juan Jose Arango and Anabel Vanin (August 3 – 5, 2012).
SEE MORE
Enjoying the Rio Blanco antpittas and Central Andes endemics with Eugenia Carey from Dauphin Island (July 5 – 12, 2012).
SEE MORE
Promoting Colombia as a travel destination with British presenter & producer Nigel Marven (February 6 – 11, 2012).
SEE MORE
Bogota Sunangel or not? The intriguing hummingbird at Rogitama Private Nature Reserve (2011).
SEE MORE
Birding with Dominic Mitchell – Managing Editor of Birdwatch Magazine (UK) (November 27 – December 4, 2011).
SEE MORE
Guiding and operating for Birding Adventures TV episodes in Colombia (November 27 – December 4, 2011).
SEE MORE
